Bosque del Cabo Trail Descriptions

The trails maintained on the Bosque property are great for self-guided or professionally guided hikes. Our forest guard maintains and grooms our trails.

PACIFIC TRAIL

TROGON TRAIL

ZAPATERO TRAIL

SAINO TRAIL

CREEK TRAIL

TITI TRAIL

GOLFO DULCE TRAIL

MANAKIN TRAIL

PACIFIC TRAIL

Where: The trailhead is approximately 260 meters to the west of the restaurant (to the left before the first big curve going out of the driveway, before the “Golfo Dulce” marker); there are some steps and a wooden sign marker that reads “Pacific”To and From: the trail goes from the Bosque property down to the Pacific coast, just west of Cabo MatapaloHow Long: this trail is 0.3 miles long, one way; it takes about 20 minutes to hike down to the beach (it is a steep trail, so going down is usually quicker than coming back up)When to Go: the Pacific beaches are only really accessible during low tide, so you should plan on going down when the tide is low (3 hours on either side of the hour of low tide should be fine also)

The Pacific Trail descends through virgin rainforest with stunning views of the ocean peeking through all the way down. Along the way, you will pass peaceful springs that feed small waterfalls on the beach. You will also see the small hydroelectric plant that we installed to use waterpower to make electricity for the lodge. This is a great chance to see wildlife such as monkeys, pizotes, and agoutis. Once you reach the beach, you can turn to the left and find a small waterfall right on the other side of the rock that marks the bottom of the trail. If you keep walking to the left you will find some rocky tide pools and eventually (about a 10-15 minute walk) an arch rock with a private beach. You can also turn to the right when you reach the bottom of the trail. A 15-minute walk will take you to some tide pools that, if you catch them at low tide, are natural jacuzzis. This is a great spot to spend some time cooling off, with the dense rainforest on one side and the blue Pacific on the other. Another 10-20 minute walk will lead you to a little creek and a lagoon; if you follow the creek about 5 minutes, you will find a spectacular waterfall (the actual distance from the end of the trail to the waterfall is exactly 1 mile). You need to look to the high side of the beach to find the creek; there is another creek that precedes it during rainy season (do not follow this creek if you do see it, sometimes this creek will disappear under the sand when there isn’t much rain). You will see a small, round thatched roof rancho in the trees before you reach the correct creek. You will take a short walk up the creek to get a view of the waterfall. If you want to get right underneath the water it is a short climb over some rocks. You can sit underneath the waterfall and get a great hydro-massage! Keep your eyes open to spot a beautiful endemic frog, called the Golfo Dulce Poison Dart Frog (they are small and black with orange stripes going up their backs). Also, any time you are hiking around creek beds and lagoons you should be aware that there is a greater possibility of seeing snakes. So always use caution. One cautionary note- the Pacific tides can be rough; we officially recommend you don’t swim here. This trail requires a good deal of physical exertion as it is a trail that traverses a cliff-side and has many stairs. It is recommendable to wear a hat and sunscreen, and bring water, when you hike this trail.

TROGON TRAIL

Where: The trail head is right across the creek from the tree platform (up-stream about 50 feet), there is a cut in the forest going uphill that marks the trail head- you actually have to cross the creek in order to access this trail; this trail has red stake markersTo and From: the trail starts at the forest edge on the banks of the creek (where the Creek Trail meets the creek, very close to where the tree platform landing deck is located) and ends where it intersects with the Golfo Dulce Trail How Long: this trail is 0.2 miles long, one way; it takes about 25 minutes to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, early morning is a great time to see birds and animals

This is a gorgeous forest trail that runs almost exclusively through primary rainforest. This is a great trail to catch a glimpse of monkeys and birds, as well as poison dart frogs, leaf-cutter ants and all sorts of forest mammals. You will be able to observe the complex workings of an older-growth primary rainforest here- from the shade-loving palms and ferns on the ground level of the forest all the way up to the top layer of enormous trees full of epiphytes. There are many interesting species of trees on this trail, including the “shoemaker” tree with its huge buttress roots fanning out along the forest floor.

ZAPATERO TRAIL

Where: The trailhead is on the start of the Golfo Dulce Trail, right across the creek, before the bridge, to the leftTo and From: The trail starts at the forest edge, to the left of the banks of the creek and ends where it intersects with the Golfo Dulce Trail at the Tropical Garden; this trail has orange stake markersHow Long: this trail is 0.9 miles long, one way; it takes about 1-1½ hour to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, early morning is a great time to see birds and animals, be careful at dark, it gets dark quickly on this trail

Rain forests notoriously do not readily reveal their secrets. A walk on the Zapatero trail, however, will allow you to explore and identify some of the many features that make up a primary rain forest. This mile long undulating trail winds its way through the forest crossing a creek at several points as it goes. For the most part your walk will take you beneath the canopy formed from the crowns of some wonderful mature trees. Here you will find Lechosos (milky trees), Ajos (garlic trees) and of course the mighty Zapatero trees. Zapatero is Spanish for shoemaker and these trees are so called because of the shoes they make for themselves, huge structural roots that run over the surface of the ground.

Occasional breaks in the canopy, lights gaps, indicate that a tree has fallen allowing light to flood down to the forest floor. These are a very important part of the succession of the forest. Here you can stop to try and spot monkeys, sloths and birds that you have so far been hearing under the canopy. Walking slowly around this trail affords the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the rain forest. There is always the possibility of seeing mammals; agoutis, coatis, pygmy squirrels and tayras. The forest birds are very much in evidence; trogons, mot mots, manakins, toucans, tinamous, currasows and maybe an owl or hawk. Various species of lizard can be seen in the trees or on the ground. People are endlessly fascinated by the moving green columns of leaf carried by the leaf cutter ants returning to their extensive nest system, or by the waves of army ants, ferocious micro predators of the forest floor. All can be found on the Zapatero trail.

SAINO TRAIL

Where: The trail head is off the Titi Trail; after about a 5 minute hike you will see a small clearing and nearby there is the sign marker that indicates “Saino Trail”To and From: the trail starts in the secondary forest area around the Titi Trail and goes in a large loop of primary forest that goes along ridges and through valleys in the propertyHow Long: this trail is 1 mile long, one way (not including getting to the trailhead); it takes about 2-2.5 hours to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, early morning is a great time to see birds and animals

Saino is the Spanish name for the collared peccary and this trail is home to several herds that are not infrequently seen by our visitors. Tales of their ferocity is exaggerated and you need have no fear. If you are lucky you will be able to catch a glimpse of these shy creatures. But the Saino trail holds many other delights over its mile long course. Similar to the Zapatero trail, in that it runs through primary forest, the Saino trail boasts some important differences. It runs though a part of Bosque del Cabo that is less frequented by our guests. The trail forms a loop that along one side runs parallel to the ocean and the sound of the waves is ever present on this section. There are some spectacular liana formations, giant vines forming massive woody ropes that run up into the canopy. The path will take you down into some dry creek channels where one gets a sense of being very deep in the forest. Here too owls are commonly seen; both crested and spectacled owls. With less human traffic this would be the trail to appreciate the tranquil solitude of the Green Cathedral towering above you. This trail is medium to difficult hiking. It has a lot of ups and downs, and is more strenuous than some of our other trails. This is a great trail for a long, adventurous and rewarding hike. NOTE: One part of this trail runs along the border with our neighboring property (El Remanso Lodge). They have a trail called the Canyon Trail that joins the Saino Trail and runs with it for a while. We have signage in the confusing areas.

CREEK TRAIL

Where: The trail head is close to the pool/bar area, off the trail that leads to some of the deluxe cabinas on the east side of the property; there is a cut in the forest that marks the trail head, there is a sign marker that points to the trail headTo and From: the trail starts at the forest edge and ends at the creek; then you can continue to hike in the creek if you want to see the head of the waterfall (the waterfall is approximately ½ mile downstream from the Manu tree where the tree platform is located); 100 meters once you are inside the forest there is a fork- to the left of the fork it will lead to our suspension bridge that takes you to the Tropical Garden and to the right is the trail that goes down to the creekHow Long: this trail is 0.3 miles long, one way; takes aprox. 15 minutes to hike itWhen to Go: anytime; there is a great viewpoint of the mouth of the gulf and the Matapalo surfbreak about 200 meters into the trail (marked by a sign that reads “Vista”)

This is a short but beautiful trail that winds through the old-growth rainforest that runs behind the restaurant. The trail eventually leads to two small cascades and a deep pool that is great for cooling off (don’t worry if you feel small crawfish nibble on your feet, they are totally harmless). You will immediately see our tree platform and zip line (which basically parallels the trail down to the creek). After you reach the first cascade and the tree where the platform is located, you will find a series of 3 pools. You will have to step over to the buttress roots of the large Manu tree to reach the bottom two pools. There is also a knotted rope to facilitate climbing down to the last pool. If you continue down the riverbed (for about 1 hour or approximately a ½ mile) it will take you to the top of a spectacular 150-foot waterfall (which runs from September-February). Please be aware that hiking through streambeds is moderate to very difficult hiking and should only be undertaken with caution and with shoes that can get wet and still have some traction. Also, keep your eyes open for snakes any time that you hike in or around a creek bed. The short hike from the Bosque grounds to the creek is a great warm-up for the longer hikes on the property; the Creek Trail gives even the inexperienced hiker a chance to know the rainforest first-hand.

TITI TRAIL

Where: The trailhead is about half way down the driveway, going out of the driveway towards the main road. The entrance to the trail will be on the left of the driveway; just up the big hill and past the Bosque del Cabo thatched entry arch. Please don’t confuse the trailhead with a road preceding it. To and From: the trail goes in a loop to the west of the driveway, in the regrowing forest landHow Long: this trail is 0.8 miles long, one way; it takes about 45 minutes-1 hour to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, the best birding and monkey sightings will be in the morning and late afternoon

The Titi Trail winds through some of the land that was added to the Bosque del Cabo reserve in 1999. The land had been slated for development, but it now has been able to continue to reforest. This is classic secondary growth, young forest landscape; you will see the typical “pioneer” species of plants and trees (such as heliconias, Balsa trees, and Cecropia trees) that initially dominate the landscape of a new rainforest. You will have a good chance to see many birds, especially the exotic tropical birds such as toucans and aracaris, and titi monkeys (the most endangered of the 4 types of monkeys in Costa Rica). The thick undergrowth of this trail gives you the opportunity to see many ground animals, including pizotes, agoutis, and tyras. Perhaps because of the abundance of these animals, we have also spotted many jungle cats and collared peccaries in this area. And recently we have spotted many tapir tracks on this trail, especially around a small grove of banana plants at end of the trail (the side of the trail closest to the main road). The animal sightings have been so good on this trail that various wildlife researchers/biologists have asked permission (and received it) to put up remote cameras in order to record the animal activity in the area. The studies are ongoing, you will probably see the taped off area(s) on the trail; the photos gathered so far show a huge range of wildlife, with many endangered species represented. This is a fairly flat trail with just a few grades.

GOLFO DULCE TRAIL

Where: The trail head is approximately 220 meters to the west of the restaurant (to the right after the first big curve going out of the driveway, after the “Pacific” marker), there is a wooden sign marker which reads “Golfo Dulce;” this trail has white stake markersTo and From: the trail goes from the Bosque property down to the Golfo Dulce coast, just before the mouth of the gulf meets with the Pacific Ocean; the road comes out at Matapalo Beach, at the very end of the Beach Access Road (Access Road is 1.5 miles long)How Long: this trail is 1.3 miles long, one way; it takes about 1-1 ½ hours to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, the gulf beaches are accessible during both high and low tide

This is a long hike that gives you a chance to see the different eco-systems of the area, and explore one of the largest parts of the Bosque land reserve. The beginning of the hike takes you across a small bridge to the Tropical Garden which is great for birding and observing various species of palms, bamboo, native fruits, heliconias, gingers, and native food crops. To continue on the Golfo Dulce trail from the garden proceed in a straight line from where the trail opened up into the garden initially, skirt the side of the lake and you will see the opening in the forest at the far end of the garden. After the garden you pass through a creek, over a stone & earth bridge, then through a pochote plantation (bear to the right at the fork in the trail here), then through beautiful stands of primary and secondary rainforest. There are many small mammals that live and travel in this part of the forest. It is common to see all monkey species found in Costa Rica (howler, squirrel, spider, and white-faced), pizotes (coatis), poison dart frogs, colorful land crabs, tayras, agoutis, and much more. After descending through virgin rainforest, you pass briefly through a neighboring property (please stay on the trail in these areas), cross a creek, then you will come out to the Beach Access Road which will lead you to the beautiful beaches of Matapalo. At this point you can walk up the creek (about a 20 minute hike) and see a gorgeous 100’ waterfall, called King Louie’s Waterfall (runs August-February). If you cross the creek you will be on the Beach Access Road (it is 1.5 miles long from the end of the Golfo Dulce Trail to the other end of the Beach Access Road). Along the access road you will see various private homes and a few small hotels. This road dead-ends into the main road from Puerto Jimenez. About 50 feet before the access road intersects with the main road there is a cement gateway and an abandoned guardhouse (locally known as the “White Gate”), if you are getting a beach pickup from Bosque this is the spot where we usually do the pickups. There are three major beach inlets along the coast of this area, including Matapalo, Backwash Bay, and Pan Dulce. All three beaches offer ample opportunities for surfing and swimming. The view from the water is truly breath-taking- lush rainforest descending down into secluded sandy beaches that melt into the warm turquoise waters of the Golfo Dulce. You can take your time getting down this trail, but there are certainly some medium to difficult parts of the trail, especially towards the bottom as you descend from 500 feet to sea level.

MANAKIN TRAIL

Where: The trailhead is right after the suspension bridge, as you go from the main lodge towards the Tropical Garden. To and From: the trail connects the area around the Tropical Garden/suspension bridge to the Trogon TrailHow Long: this trail is 0.1 miles long, one way; it takes about 15 minutes to hike itWhen to Go: anytime, the best birding and monkey sightings will be in the morning and late afternoon

The Manakin trail is in fact a very short section that links the Tropical garden area with the Trogon trail. This small loop will provide an opportunity to see many things in a short space of time. Reached via the Creek trail, taking in the view across the Golfo Dulce, down and across the creek onto the Trogon trail, take the Manakin trail which will bring you to a point where you can enter the Tropical garden or return to the lodge across the suspension bridge. The trail is named after the small brightly colored manakin birds, two species of which are commonly found here; the Blue crowned manakin and the Red capped manakin. The area has some spectacular trees, particularly Ajos and Zapateros. This makes a perfect trail to visit the garden for some late afternoon bird sightings. The walk back across the bridge gives you a canopy level view of the creek below where pumas and tapirs have been spotted. This trail goes up and down a ravine and is medium difficulty for hiking.